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The SSWP identifies the major hazards associated with construction work activities and helps to ensure that appropriate controls are in place before work commences. It communicates through the use of pictograms so that everyone on site, including persons who possess little or no English can understand what they need to do. The SSWP series covers the following types of construction:

As well as identifying the major hazards associated with construction work activities and suggesting safety controls it also:

links the implementation of the Safety Statement directly to the work activity

focuses on safety controls for a particular task before an activity starts

increases awareness of a range of options to deal with each risk

is user friendly, users just tick the hazards and controls

pictograms demonstrate each hazard and control making it easily understood

The SSWP will help users to complete construction work activity in a safe manner. Completing and using the SSWP will also help contractors, self-employed persons and employees to meet some of the legal obligations place on them by health and safety legislation.

Do I still need to prepare a Safety Statement if I have a Safe System of Work Plan?

The Safe System of Work Plan complements the Safety Statement required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, although it does not replace the requirements for a Safety Statement. The SSWP can be used to make sure that the safety statement applies to the individual site or job being done and can be used as a final check to ensure that the identified controls for a specific construction work activity are in place.

Planning the activityThe person planning the activity will complete this part. Normally this would be the supervisor/foreman and/or self-employed person prior to work starting. Where a site safety officer is employed they should be involved in the process.

Identifying the hazards and controlsThis part of the SSWP form deals with hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control. Normally this would be carried out by the supervisor/foreman and/or self-employed person prior to work starting. Where a site safety officer is employed they should be involved in the process.

The hazards should first be identified by ticking the square boxes in the “Select Hazard” column;

The appropriate controls to eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk should be identified by ticking the square boxes in the “Select Control” column

When the Controls are in place tick the round box. This must be done in conjunction with the workers at the specific work location prior to the work taking place

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Fire Equipment required should be selected by ticking the square boxes in the PPE/Fire sections and when acquired by ticking the round box

Sign offThis part deals with the signing off of the SSWP. The purpose of signing off is to identify the person who has prepared the SSWP and also to confirm that the completed SSWP has been brought to the attention of all those to whom the SSWP applies.